, 1887-05-19
A sad Bonanza King.

lnerc IL prOOhDly no man IN MOn-
tana as sad as Tommy Cruise. With
all his money he is unable to erase
from his memory the event OF u month
| ago. For year previous his life was
dream Of love--pure and simple and
as lasting as the rock of ages. And the
once happy smile is changed to look
so sad and full of mourning that the
happiness of even his friends appears
to be clouded. Only short year ago
he led bride TO the alter, and she has
now passed away leaving him alone
| childless-- q lonely mau as he was be-
fore the Hymen bond linked him to
the happiest year of his life.
The career of this three times over
millionaire il full of interest.
Not many years ago he could be
found at the bottom Of his claim with
pick and shovel, working for the
treasure he never lost hope of finding.
He had passed the middle age, but
was healthy and robust, and up to u
week before he made his big discovery
he was as poor as when he first lifted
u shovel az Il miner.
While engaged in this manner he
met young lady, who was kind and
respectful to him. The young lady
was Miss Carter, of distinguished
birth, though poor. She was amiable,
retiring, and her modest disposition
captured the heart of the poor miner.
He was many years her senior, but
his noble beating and unseltish ways
impressed her, and mutual like rip
ened into love. During the years sue
ceeding their meeting he worked with
one ambition and aim. To secure the
means to marry and love comfortably
was a thought which kept him strug-
Cling for fortune. When it came he
was only less happy than on the day
OF his wedding
He was delving away many feet be-
low the surface in n rough mountain
country where he struck into vein of
rich ore. A week after he sold his
claim for $3OOO,OOO.
Tommy's first thought WAS OF Miss
Carter-if for one instant he had for
gotten her-wishing to marry her inn
mediately.
For time the ceremony was post
poned. 1t is said that she preferred
him as u poor miner than as q bonanza
king. But pleading will break any
resolution woman has formed, and
being unable to withstand Tommy
Cruises pleadings. she consented to
become his wife.
The wedding was the grandest al
fair of the lind that ever took place in
the territory. 1t was gala day Tor
Helena Courts were adjourned, busi-
ness places were closed and men from
all parts oi Montana hocked to the
city to attend the ceremony. Tommy
Cruise WAS well known and well liked,
and Helena intended giving him II
scnd.oif that he would never forget.
The invitation H. extended WAS gen
cral. Every one was invited, Ban
ncrs were playing gaylv with the
winds and arches were erected along
the streets. Tommy Cruise chartered
the Cosmopolitan hotel, which was
filled with flowers and floral dccora-
tions Wine flowed like water Every
thing was free Beggars were treated
like kings. Even John Chinaman
was not forgotten. In the gents re-
ccption rooms stood dark sentinels,
ready to do the bidding of those pres
cnt. If it happened that any one was
missed in the distribution of wine and
cdiblcs, it was through sheer modesty
and not the fault of Tommy Cruise.
The day of festivities heightened to
Il week and during that time the pi-
oneers OF the territory knew not
whether they were in Helena or at
home. 1t seems only u day since that
time. was present at the wedding
and remember Tommy coming to me
with smiling contenance and stating
that it was the happiest moment OF
his life He was unlike his guests-hc
! did not drink to excess and was not
intoxicated for u single moment dur
ing the wedding,
When he asked the amount OF his
bill, he was told it was $4,000. He
paid it as though it was II mere item.
Including all expenses, Tommy
Cruises wedding cost about S35 600.
Now all is over. The past month
has made IL big cnange in him and his
friends are advising him to try II
change in climate. ] don't think 1t
will do him much good. Life to him
has few charms and he has said that
il he had passed to the grave with her
he loved he would have been happy.